Library users in the know are already using Hoopla . It's the place for free streaming movies, television, audiobooks, and music -- all you need is your library card. If you've never used Hoopla before, getting started is easy . It's a great time to get started too becasuse Hoopla is really feeling the holiday spirit this… continue reading Get In the Holiday Spirit with Hoopla
By written by Jamie W. December 24, 2014 2
We've seen mistletoe and holly, heard the cha ching of unhinged commerce, seen jolly elves hustling parents in the mall, noticed a marked increase in the number of John Hughes' movies on TV, and woken up to rainy 45 degree days cursing the world for its lack of festive spirit. It all points to one thing. It must be time… continue reading 2014 in Reading - Staff Year End Favorites
By written by Jamie W. December 23, 2014
It's December! Let's make lists! With the recent additions to our popular Zinio digital magazine service, it seems we've been all about magazines this year. And why not? While some bemoan how the web has supposedly zapped of us of our attention spans (Who is this 'us' they're always talking about anyway?… continue reading 2014 in Reading - Our Favorite Longform Journalism from the web
By written by Jamie W. December 17, 2014
We have a new online resource available to you over at our database page -- Driver's Permit Practice Tests Online offers practice tests for the general Pennsylvania driver's permit, the PA Motorcycle license test, and the PA CDL exam. You'll also find digital copies of the PA Driver’s Handbook, the PA… continue reading Online Practice Tests for Drivers Now Available
By written by Jamie W. December 17, 2014 5
The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Music Department connects Philadelphians with a Sheet Music Collection that spans the entire history of single sheet publishing in the United States and the colonies that proceded them. As the music publishing industry continues to release single sheets, we continue to add them to this collection.… continue reading New Sheet Music Acquisitions
By written by Adam F. December 16, 2014 3
Last year we announced a new digital resource for digital learning focused on tech skills called Treehouse. While Treehouse was embraced by some eager to learn coding and web design, we've come to the difficult conclusion that our budget will not allow us to continue with Treehouse into 2015. It's always tough for us to… continue reading Changes Coming for Treehouse and Our Digital Learning Resources
By written by Jamie W. December 15, 2014 6
Up Next! Dan Hanrahan On Monday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. , audiences at the Montgomery Auditorium at the Parkway Central Library will have an opportunity to welcome jazz guitarist Dan Hanrahan and his band to the stage. Dan is a Philadelphian who has played with musicians such as Larry McKenna , Terell Stafford , Tim Warfield , and Pat Bianchi… continue reading Mysterious Travelers' Concert Series | Up next: Dan Hanrahan | Video recap of Wayne Smith, Jr Quintet
By written by Adam F. December 12, 2014
![AP Photo Monday, May 19, 1975 [see Appendix 3 for full caption]](https://libwww.freelibrary.biz/images/blog/FLPBlog/resized/ChineseProtestor_3.jpg)
[ Editorial Note: This is the sixth and final edition of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. In the wake of failure to indict police officers in the case… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the extrajudicial killings of black men and black children in the United States. Part 6: Appendix and Postscript
By written by Adam F. December 10, 2014 1
[ Editorial Note: This is the fifth of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. In the wake of failure to indict police officers in the case of Eric… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the extrajudicial killings of black men and black children in the United States. Part 5: Primary Resources in Music
By written by Adam F. December 5, 2014 3
[ Editorial Note: This is the fourth of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. Today on the day after the failure to indict any officers of the law in the… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the death of... Eric Garner in New York. Part 4: Newspaper Resources
By written by Adam F. December 4, 2014
[ Editorial Note: This is the third of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. The series covers gathering background information , finding and acquiring… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Part 3: Journal Resources
By written by Adam F. December 3, 2014
In October, Teen Services Librarian Erin H. organized a teen book blast at the Philadelphia City Institute. The Book Blast was a rapid-fire presentation of 50 great teen reads from 2014 for teens and parents, and librarians Rachel F. and Joel N. joined Ms. Erin in sharing their top recommendations. From retellings of the Wizard of Oz where… continue reading Best Teen Reads of 2014
By written by Joel N. December 2, 2014
![Police presence during preparations for the opening ceremony for the Andorra Branch, April 16, 1975 *[caption details below]](https://libwww.freelibrary.biz/images/blog/FLPBlog/resized/Ferguson2.JPG)
[ Editorial Note: This is the second of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. The series covers gathering background information , finding and acquiring… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Part 2: Book Resources
By written by Adam F. December 2, 2014
[ Editorial Note: This is the first of a six part series intended to demonstrate for teachers and students the use of special Free Library of Philadelphia resources for conducting research into issues raised by events in Ferguson, MO during the last 4 months of 2014. The series covers gathering background information , finding and acquiring… continue reading Free Library resources for term papers exploring the roots of the rage at the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Part 1: an Introduction and Background
By written by Adam F. December 1, 2014 1
As a children's librarian, I frequently get asked for books and resources that parents can use to help explain current events to their children, especially troubling events. Here is a sample of picture books about change in response to discrimination and inequality that I recommend sharing: SIT IN: How Four Friends… continue reading Picture Books About Social Justice
By written by Rachel F. November 25, 2014
Over the past year, Zinio , our digital magazine collection, has quickly become one of our most popular resources. And why not? With Zinio and your Free Library card, you can download current issues of popular newsstand magazines to your smartphone, tablet, or home computer. It's no wonder we love it. The library subscribes to… continue reading New Digital Magazines and Other Changes at Zinio
By written by Jamie W. November 24, 2014 1
Over the past year, the Free Library—along with The Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre and many other partners throughout the city—has been celebrating the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450 , with fun programs, unique performances, and engaging exhibitions. (Have you stopped by to see our latest, Born of the Bard: Works Inspired by… continue reading Celebrate the Grand Finale of the Year of the Bard: Shakespeare at 450
By written by Michelle S. November 20, 2014
On Monday Dec 8 at 7:00 p.m ., audiences will welcome the return of Wayne Smith, Jr. to Montgomery Auditorium at the Free Library of Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Branch. We last heard from Wayne on October 29 when he played with a quartet under the leadership of Mike Cemprola. We librarians in the Music Department, after hearing him… continue reading Mysterious Travelers' Concert Series | Up next: Wayne Smith Jr | Video recap of Vince Turnbull
By written by Adam F. November 20, 2014
Have you seen the new trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron ? It has all the standard features of a summer blockbuster: slow motion clips, people running and screaming, and lots of explosions. However, if you look a little closer, you’ll notice something new. New Characters Fraternal twins Pietro and Wanda Maximoff ( Quicksilver and the… continue reading Avengers: Age of Ultron
By written by Christina P. November 12, 2014
On October 29th, Saxophonist Mike Cemprola led a jazz quartet on an intimate, often humorous, and forward looking set of his original compositions framed within a few contrasting takes on a pair of Wayne Shorter’s tunes . Pianist Tim Brey and bassist Madison Rast, dazzled the audience that evening with their own improvisations within the… continue reading Mysterious Travelers' Concert Series - from Mike Cemprola to Vince Turnbull
By written by Adam F. November 10, 2014
